yeah, i read in many of her interviews, when asked, that #19 The Departure was her favorite book, and her favorite book to read. For me it was great indeed because it really dived into the gray area of good vs evil, and we got a totally new perspective on the war from the Yeerks. And then Cassie....man, making the ultimate sacrifice?
Put yourself in her position. Does anyone think they'd have been able to do what she did? Become a nothlit. A caterpillar just to make small peace?